Things to do in London this weekend
Go full steam ahead into the last quarter of the year and make this weekend count. Here are some of the coolest things to do this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in London
We’re officially heading into autumn, but that doesn’t mean your weekends have to cool down. In fact, London’s cultural calendar is just hotting up. You can go behind-the-scenes at some of London’s most quirky landmarks for Heritage Open Days, see your favourite podcasts IRL at the London Podcast Festival and explore Colourscape’s kaleidoscopic tunnels which will be taking over Clapham Common for its annual festival. Happy weekending, people!
RECOMMENDED: Find more things to do this Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
What’s on this weekend?
London Podcast Festival
Pop your audio bubble and take part in the live recording of your favourite shows at this podcast party. This weekend you can sit in on live recordings of ‘Throwing Shade’, ‘Beef and Dairy Network Podcast’ and ‘Griefcast’.
Colourscape Music Festival
Colourscape’s colourful tunnels are taking over Clapham Common. Grab a dazzling cape and venture into the maze of kaleidoscopic tunnels to hear music in the rainbow glow.
Heritage Open Days
England’s largest festival of history and culture is back with loads of free behind-the-scenes events at a range of unusual London landmarks. Here’s our pick of the best bits to see this weekend.
Stanley Kubrick: The Exhibition review
It’s your last chance to see the enormous Design Museum exhibition dedicated to the life and films of Stanley Kubrick, so good we gave it a whopping five stars. See original props, posters, costumes and storyboards from ‘A Clockwork Orange’, ‘Lolita’ and ‘The Shining’. Separate truth from fiction (and lunar myths) at this dazzling foray through the great man’s work.
Film of the Week: ‘Downton Abbey’
Cuddle up in your fave cinema this weekend to this big old comfort blanket of a movie stitched together from vignettes involving missing paper knives, a problematic ball gown and an unfortunate outbreak of rain. It’s as nourishing as one of Mrs Patmore’s crumpets, and about as edgy, but fans of the much-loved TV show will love it.
London Swedes Kräftskiva
The Swedish are crazy about crayfish - and they celebrate the annual harvest at rowdy, sing-a-long parties. Join them on Saturday for drinks, and plenty of seafood at London Swedes Kräftskiva's party at Smith’s Bar and Grill in Paddington.
Show of the Week: Thabiso Sekgala: ‘Here is Elsewhere’
Find time this weekend to see the gorgeous photography by a young artist who died too soon. This is art about belonging to and navigating the world.
Bar of the Week: Black Rock Tavern
Sink your weekend drinks at this whisky bar-pub that looks like a Japanese izakaya. Go for the highball drinks that take whisky soda to a whole new level.
‘A Very Expensive Poison’
Catch Lucy Prebble’s metaplay about the poisoning of Alexander Litvinenko. It’s a surreal and brilliant drama about the madness of our times.
London Design Festival
The London Design Festival is back. Spend the weekend checking out some of the displays and installations, including ‘Take the Plunge’ at Baregehouse, ‘Please Be Seated’ at Finsbury Avenue Square and ‘Void’ at Collins Music Hall.
Peckham Festival
Hit up this hyperlocal fest championing SE15 creatives this weekend. This year Copeland Park will be bursting with workshops from Extinction Rebellion and Dulwich Picture Gallery, a huge flower installation from London Flower School and bicycle-powered film screenings.
Dog Day at Skylight
While your four-legged pal snacks on treats you can neck ‘Paw-n star Martinis’ and ‘Frenchie 75s’ at this pooch-themed party at Skylight on Sunday. A percentage of proceeds made from each Dog Day cocktail will go to Battersea Dogs and Cats Home.
The East London Vintage Kilo Sale
Grab the clothes you fancy at this second-hand sale, take them to the scales and pay just £15 per kilo for your pile. With an average of three to four items per kilo, you can get a whole new outfit with change from £20.
London Fashion Week Festival
Check out a curated edit of designer collections from more than 150 brands, go front row for a show and listen to talks from industry experts on new trends while swinging your comp tote bag. Fancy.
Pocket-Sized
Celebrate the beauty of words and short form at Jewish community centre JW3. It’s in partnership with Granta, the oldest literary magazine in the UK, and the day-festival will be chared by broadcaster Sandi Toksvig.
Hackney Flea Market
Costume jewellery, vintage fabrics, salvaged furniture and reclaimed fixtures and fittings will all be on the menu at this second-hand staple. Who knows? You might just find the shelving unit of your dreams to replace that tatty Ikea one you’ve been lugging around since uni days.
Black Masking Culture
Get up close and admire the intricate beauty of Big Chief Demond Melancon of the Young Seminole Hunters’ massive Mardi Gras Indian suits. It’s the first time the creations will be on display outside of the US, so make sure you don’t Miss-issippi them!
Africa Utopia
The celebration of the African diaspora returns to the Southbank this weekend and there’s a whole host of music, debates and amazing street food to sink your teeth into. Highlights include a talk by poet and rapper Akala and a special Africa Utopia themed ‘Letters Live’.
Retrospect London Vintage Clothing Kilo Sale
Give fast fashion the heave-ho and fill your wardrobe with second-hand gems at this kilo sale. Plus, with it a flat £15 per 1,000g of clothing, your shopping shouldn’t weight heavily on your conscience, either.
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